PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra Launches 40th Anniversary Season with 40 & BEYOND
Scarborough, ON – October 4, 2025 – The Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), under the baton of acclaimed Conductor Martin MacDonald, proudly opens its milestone 40th Anniversary Season with a powerful concert titled 40 & BEYOND. The performance will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.
Concert Details
40 & BEYOND
Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, October 4, 2025 – 8:00 PM
Martin MacDonald, Conductor
Allison Cecilia Arends, Soprano
Program:
- Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op. 84
- John S. Gray: Episodes (2003)
- Mozart: “Ruhe Sanft, Mein Holdes Leben” (Zaide, K. 344)
- Bellini: “Qui la voce” (I puritani)
- Gounod: “Amour, ranime mon courage” (Romeo et Juliette)
- Puccini: “O mio babbino caro” (Gianni Schicchi)
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
📍 Venue: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto
🎟️ Tickets: www.cathedralbluffs.com/tickets
The evening promises a dynamic program that bridges tradition and innovation. Audiences will be swept into the heroic world of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, and later experience the monumental force of his iconic Symphony No. 5, one of the most celebrated works in the classical repertoire.
Adding a contemporary Canadian voice, the orchestra will perform Episodes (2003) by composer John S. Gray, highlighting CBSO’s commitment to showcasing modern works alongside timeless classics.
The concert also features the return of acclaimed soprano Allison Cecilia Arends, a past winner of the CBSO Vocal Competition, who will grace the stage with operatic gems by Mozart, Bellini, Gounod, and Puccini. Her artistry and expressive voice will bring new life to beloved arias including:
- Mozart: “Ruhe Sanft, Mein Holdes Leben” (Zaide, K. 344)
- Bellini: “Qui la voce” (I puritani)
- Gounod: “Amour, ranime mon courage” (Romeo et Juliette)
- Puccini: “O mio babbino caro” (Gianni Schicchi)
Featured Soloist: Allison Cecilia Arends
Canadian soprano Allison Cecilia Arends has been praised for her “stunningly beautiful voice” (Hnatyshyn Foundation) and “lyrical upper tones” (Opera Canada). A graduate of the University of Toronto, University of Victoria, and Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program, she has performed leading roles including Violetta (La Traviata), Musetta (La Bohème), and the Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte). Arends has appeared with major Canadian ensembles such as the Toronto Concert Orchestra, Regina Symphony, Chorus Niagara, and Toronto Classical Singers, and internationally in China, England, and Jamaica. Her repertoire spans opera, new music, and concert works, establishing her as one of Canada’s most versatile and expressive sopranos.
About the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1985, the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra has grown into one of Toronto’s premier community orchestras, now with more than 80 musicians. Under the direction of Martin MacDonald, CBSO is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality performances, opportunities for young musicians, and innovative collaborations that celebrate inclusivity, creativity, and community.
📩 Media Contact:
Wendy Limbertie
Director of Marketing & Outreach
Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra
📧 info@cathedralbluffs.com
🌐 www.cathedralbluffs.com